Navigation device

• US 20080077314A1
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Hiroki
• Application Number:
  US11/898,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077314A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station

Abstract

Systems and methods store request frequencies arranged by time period, each request frequency indicating a frequency at which traffic information distribution is to be requested from an information distribution center. The systems and methods determine a request timing based on a current time and the stored request frequencies and determine whether the request timing has elapsed since a previous traffic information distribution request. When it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, the systems and methods transmit a request for distribution of the traffic information to the information distribution center and receive the requested traffic information distributed from the information distribution center.

Claims

1. A navigation device for installation in a vehicle, comprising:

a memory that stores request frequencies arranged by time period, each request frequency indicating a frequency at which traffic information distribution is to be requested from an information distribution center; and

a controller that

determines a request timing based on a current time and the stored request frequencies;

determines whether the request timing has elapsed since a previous traffic information distribution request;

when it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, transmits a request for distribution of the traffic information to the information distribution center; and

if the request is transmitted, receives the requested traffic information distributed from the information distribution center.

2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein:

the stored request frequencies are arranged by area; and

the controller;

detects an area that includes the vehicle position; and

determines the request timing based on the detected area.

3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein:

the memory stores statistical traffic information that is generated for each link on the basis of past traffic information;

when it is determined that the request timing has not elapsed, a route search is performed using the statistical traffic information; and

when it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, the route search is performed using the traffic information received from the information distribution center.

4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the stored request frequencies are arranged by month and day.

5. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the controller:

records traveling information as probe information; and

when it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, transmits the recorded probe information to the navigation center.

6. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the request frequencies include time intervals.

7. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the request frequencies include at least one of “

requested”

or “

not requested.”

8. The navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit, wherein:

when a request is input on the operation unit, the controller transmits a request for distribution of the traffic information to the information distribution center.

9. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the controller:

determines whether a destination has been entered; and

if a destination has been entered, determines whether the request timing has elapsed.

10. A navigation system, comprising:

the navigation device of claim 1; and

the information distribution center.

11. An information acquisition method for use with a navigation device installed in a vehicle, comprising:

storing request frequencies arranged by time period, each request frequency indicating a frequency at which traffic information distribution is to be requested from an information distribution center; and

determining a request timing based on a current time and the stored request frequencies;

determining whether the request timing has elapsed since a previous traffic information distribution request;

when it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, transmitting a request for distribution of the traffic information to the information distribution center; and

if the request is transmitted, receiving the requested traffic information distributed from the information distribution center.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

storing the request frequencies arranged by area;

detecting an area that includes the vehicle position; and

determining the request timing based on the detected area.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

storing statistical traffic information that is generated for each link on the basis of past traffic information;

when it is determined that the request timing has not elapsed, performing a route search using the statistical traffic information; and

when it is determined that the request timing has lapsed, performing the route search using the traffic information received from the information distribution center.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising storing the request frequencies arranged by month and day.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

recording traveling information as probe information; and

when it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, transmitting the recorded probe information to the navigation center.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the request frequencies include time intervals.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the request frequencies include at least one of “

requested”

or “

not requested.”

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a request; and

based on the received request, transmitting a request for distribution of the traffic information to the information distribution center.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

determining whether a destination has been entered; and

if a destination has been entered, determining whether the request timing has elapsed.

20. A navigation device for installation in a vehicle, comprising:

means for storing request frequencies arranged by time period, each request frequency indicating a frequency at which traffic information distribution is to be requested from an information distribution center; and

means for determining a request timing based on a current time and the stored request frequencies;

means for determining whether the request timing has elapsed since a previous traffic information distribution request;

means for transmitting, when it is determined that the request timing has elapsed, a request for distribution of the traffic information to the information distribution center; and

means for receiving, if the request is transmitted, the requested traffic information distributed from the information distribution center.